5/8 Wave groundplane 1.5:1 SWR all over the band

[AudioShockwav]

W9 is aware of SWR and its effects on radios and feed lines.
The difference is that if you are running more than one band sometimes it is common to work into higher SWR to achieve a much larger bandwidth.
Ham operators do this all the time.
73
Jeff

 

[Marconi]

W9 is aware of SWR and its effects on radios and feed lines.
The difference is that if you are running more than one band sometimes it is common to work into higher SWR to achieve a much larger bandwidth.
Ham operators do this all the time.
73
Jeff

Jeff, in this case do you guys then use a tuner to reduce your SWR?

 

[AudioShockwav]

Jeff, in this case do you guys then use a tuner to reduce your SWR?

Often , yes we do.
You can build antennas like fan dipoles and others that cover multi bands as well.
When trying to work multiple frequencys with limited resources , space, restrictions, materals, you sometimes have to settle for a compromise.
Feeding these antennas with twin lead/ladder line helps reduce loss you would have in coax.
73
Jeff

 

[357]

I have the same antenna. It is the newer version purchased from Strictly Ham in Australia. Mine is exactly the same, I cant get the SWR below 1.5 to 1. I replaced the matching system with copper as the drawn aluminium one is very brittle and eventually breaks. Good antenna but I also would like to get the SWR down a bit more.

Dang my list of Imax replacements just got shorter but good to know

 

[w9cll]

You don't really get SWR?

ha ha you are funny Chris

 

[w9cll]

Jeff, in this case, do you guys then use a tuner to reduce your SWR?

Yes and no, generally if the SWR is 2.0 or below I won't use the tuner. If it goes over 2 I will. Now saying this I do run a tube rig (final output is tube-based) and they can handle higher SWR better than solid-state can

 

[Marconi]

w9cll, I agree with your comments below and you make sense, but I'm not sure Matt and other CB operators understand when you say:

I feel you don’t understand SWR and how they affect the radio very clearly. I run all day long with SWR over 2.

Yes and no, generally if the SWR is 2.0 or below I won't use the tuner. If it goes over 2 I will. Now saying this I do run a tube rig (final output is tube-based) and they can handle higher SWR better than solid-state can

I don't think you and other ham operators give the CB operators bad information, as in this case, but I often wonder if they fail to understand...without the added information your post above in your follow-up comments.

 

[w9cll]

I think a lot of 11 meter and begining hams are feed incorrect information. I know when I was starting out in CB in 1973 I was told low SWR was most important. Its not ans I came to learn that over time. Its wonderful that forums like this exsist and information is ready available.

 

[543_Dallas]

Tube gear doesn't mind less than perfect swr because it's up to the operator match it to the load.

One issue that doesn't necessarily result in failure with solid state stuff is that they are designed for a 50 ohm load and perform best with low swr. You will see changes in percentage of modulation with a solid state high level modulated cb set. Maybe cause it to overmodulate, undermodulate or distortion of the waveform. It will effect the ALC on some solid state HF rigs.

You wouldn't want to intentionally run a tube rig that isn't properly tuned and I don't think you should run the solid state stuff into a mismatched load. Both are equally bad IMO.

 

[w9cll]

Tube gear doesn't mind less than perfect swr because it's up to the operator match it to the load.

Exactly